Columbia, SC (October 19, 2005): Besides being the second largest lottery jackpot currently offered in the world, South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) officials reached record sales totals. The jackpot, estimated at $340 million, is the largest for states offering Powerball®. The estimated cash option for the drawing is more than $164 million. The current jackpot run began on August 13.
At the height of sales, the Lottery’s gaming system indicated tickets were being sold at the average rate of $16,500 per minute. The previous record was $15,200, set in July 2003. Powerball® players also wagered a record one day total sales of more than $7.2 million for one draw, breaking the Lottery’s one day record sales of $6.1 million set in July of 2003. The Powerball® jackpot in July 2003 was $250 million.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 146 million. Three people have won the Powerball® jackpot in South Carolina since SCEL joined Powerball®.
At the height of sales, the Lottery’s gaming system indicated tickets were being sold at the average rate of $16,500 per minute. The previous record was $15,200, set in July 2003. Powerball® players also wagered a record one day total sales of more than $7.2 million for one draw, breaking the Lottery’s one day record sales of $6.1 million set in July of 2003. The Powerball® jackpot in July 2003 was $250 million.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 146 million. Three people have won the Powerball® jackpot in South Carolina since SCEL joined Powerball®.
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